Universal Design: Everyone, Everywhere Mark Relf, Access Consultant
What is Universal Design within an Australian context from the perspective of an Access Consultant ? Th The 7 princip iple les s of Univers rsal al Design Universal Design is a term that was first used in the 1. Eq Equitabl ble e Use United States by Ron Mace in 2. Fl Flexibi bilit lity y is Use 1985, although aspects of UD were quite prevalent in Europe 3. Si Simple and Intui uitiv tive e Use long before. 4. Pe Perceptib tible le Infor ormati mation on Universal Design is often defined as; “the design of all 5. To Toleranc nce e for Er Error products and environments to 6. Low Ph Physica cal l Ef Effort rt be usable by people of all ages and abilities to the 7. Si Size and Sp Space for Ap Approach ch and Use greatest extent possible.” (N. D’souza ) Sydney 2014
Like many countries around the world the goal of enabling a built environment that is accessible to everyone and everywhere has been a slow tedious process of evolution. The evolution of Universal Design is no different. While UD has many supporters there are no technical standards, regulations or laws that enshrine UD when it comes to the accessibility of buildings, products or services. How should an Access Consultant apply Universal Design within their daily practice ? Sydney 2014
Q1. Are we on the right track with UD or is the 50 year history of enabling accessible environments outdated ? Q2. Is the Universal Design concept a pure single practice or are there multiple methodologies ? Q3. Is there place for two systems; • Accessible public spaces • Universally Designed private residential development Sydney 2014
Long before UD was coined by Ron Mace in 1985 Australian advocates under the auspice of ACROD and Standards Australia developed the first “access standard” in 1968 AS CA 52 Part 1 – Design for Access by Handicapped Persons – Part 1-Public Buildings and Facilities. Sydney 2014
AS CA 52 Part 1 [1968] – Design for Access by Handicapped Persons – Part 1-Public Buildings and Facilities. 24 pages of information which covered some basic requirements for wheelchair circulation spaces, stairway design, audio-visual signals and a.... Preface that articulated; “Its basis is that the design of buildings for public use must take into account all members of the community.” In 1977 CA 52 evolved to AS 1428 with an expanded scope that has undergone revisions in 1988, 1993, 2001 and 2009. Sydney 2014
During 1980’s there were many incremental baby steps progressing the debate forwards to accessible public buildings with some notable milestones being; • 1981 IYDP (International Year of the Disabled Person) • 1983 NSW Govt introduces Section 53 into Ordinance 70, which specified accessibility requirements in public buildings. This was the forerunner to Part D3 of the BCA. • 1988 update of AS1428.1. • Access consultancy infancy • ACROD key stakeholder representative on the Oz scene Sydney 2014
1990’s pace of change accelerates with some notable milestones being; • 1990 – A national Building Code of Australia established and references AS1428.1. • 1992 Disability Discrimination Act. • 1992 – AS1428 suite expanded with Parts 2, 3 and 4. • 1993 Sydney awarded the 2000 Olympic & Paralympic Games & Access Consultants become integral to the games • 1995 – Adaptable Housing Standard is published and NSW Local Govt’s include proportional requirements for adaptable housing in multi-unit residential – often 10%. • 1997 BCA 96 removes the one step threshold allowance at the entry to public buildings in a first step to harmonise with the DDA. • 1998 NSW Seniors Housing policy revamped and revised again in 2000, 2004 and 2007. {2007 version is now an accessible AS1428.1.} • Mid 1990’s – UD enters the vocabulary of Access Consultants but the DDA is the main game . Sydney 2014
• 2003 – 2011 – Development of DDA Premises Standard, update to AS1428.1 (2009) and BCA 2011 aligned. BCA embraces Class 2 residential flat buildings requiring common area accessibility. • Australian Network for Universal Housing Design forms. • Throughout the 2000’s – UD is a side issue to Access Consultants as the aim of accessible public buildings is the No. 1 Goal. • Local Government and Access Consultants get on with Adaptable Housing rollout and in NSW, Seniors Housing. • AS 4299 Adaptability principles are misunderstood, missued and abused. Sydney 2014
• Australian Network for Universal Housing Design forms and two streams of UD emerge; • • UD in a housing context. UD in public buildings gives way to Access for All and • ANUHD prosecute the argument consistency with the DDA. that while 10% of dwellings being • adaptable maybe useful that NSW Seniors Housing Policy 100% of dwellings should provide 2007 adopts AS1428.1 and universal design. AS4299 to deliver accessible & adaptable design features. • 2009 the National Dialogue takes • places which is primarily a drive Access Consultants generally to bring together industry, excluded from the National government and ageing and Dialogue and the revision of disability rights advocates to AS4299 put on hold. establish UD in the mass housing market nationally. Sydney 2014
• • 2010 onwards..... 2010-2012 Access Consultants look at LHA as a branding and marketing • AS4299 has minimal take-up campaign, which is seeking to sell the outside NSW and the Standard is very modest LH guidelines to the misunderstood by planners, mass market. architects and builders. • Local Government and Access • UD advocates argue against the Consultants continue using notion of accessibility and adaptable AS4299 with Adaptable Housing housing in favour of liveability. rollout and in NSW, Seniors • Accessible design features Housing. maligned as being ugly, • No gold stars for poor design even inappropriate and unsuitable for if it is accessible. residential living. • • Every LGA from Newcastle to 2011 Livable Housing Australia establishes Livable Housing Wollongong (except 2) specify Guidelines which is a abbreviated Adaptable Housing in multi-unit version of AS4299 with a reduced residential and several now scope that is aimed at the mass specifying Accessible AS1428.1 housing market. apartments (Hornsby,Gosford, etc) Sydney 2014
• The parallels between the 1970’s and 2011 are obvious as the cycle of starting with minimalist access (dare I use that word, “Access”) requirements commencing with the development of Livable Housing Guidelines – Silver, Gold, Platinum. • Livable Housing – e.g. Silver level has no step at the front door. • Livable Housing – e.g. Gold level requires a 10m sq bedroom (AS4299 requires 12m+). What is Universal Design within an Australian context from the perspective of an Access Consultant ? While the concept of UD is widely supported by Access Consultants it is clear that UD is now firmly embedded in the residential housing market commencing with “social housing” and hopefully rolling into the mass housing market of detached and semi-detached dwellings as LHA develop Partnerships with the mass production builders. Sydney 2014
Q1. Are we on the right track with UD or is the 50 year history of enabling accessible environments outdated ? Answer – Enabling accessible environments is still the right course and UD can play a part in that aim. Q2. Is the Universal Design concept a pure single practice or are there multiple methodologies ? Answer – Clearly policy makers are embracing the UD principles and developing Guidelines, mostly voluntary, to suit particular objectives. Q3. Is there place for two systems; • Accessible public spaces • Universally Designed private residential development Answer – YES the two systems can co-exist, albeit the confusion over the coming years will prevail until LH Guidelines merge with Adaptable Housing to include PLATINUM PLUS, DIAMOND levels and beyond. Sydney 2014
Sydney 2014 While Universal Design provisions of Livable Housing do not currently deliver accessible environments Access Consultant shall provide advice as the LH Guidelines permit. • The Future - Over time we (the advocate within each Access Consultant) hope to see revised LH Guidelines and clever innovation in design and construction that delivers real benefits to people with disabilities, their families and friends. • AS4299 revised and reinvigorated to provide a comprehensive AS1428.8 standard (or Handbook) for accessible residential development with multiple parts for people with various impairments.
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